(CNN) - Twice in the past two days, former President Bill Clinton has implied Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy bears responsibility for the “No Child Left Behind” school standards, which are deeply unpopular with the Democratic base.

In Arkansas yesterday, the former president told voters at a campaign stop that President Bush had "made a deal with Sen. Kennedy, and neither one of them meant to mess it up.”

He said that agreement had been to give schools more money but cut or eliminate funding for successful programs he had started during his administration.

Earlier this week in Arizona, Clinton had also linked Kennedy’s name with President Bush’s as he criticized the education measure.

"I want you to think about this, and I have to say, this was a train wreck that was not intended. No Child Left Behind was supported by George Bush and Sen. Ted Kennedy and everybody in between. Why? Because they didn't talk to enough teachers before they did that," said Clinton on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

soundoff(73 Responses)

GenniferFlowers

No MORE Clintoons

February 2, 2008 07:45 pm at 7:45 pm |

KC

Once again, Bill shows his disgusting true colors. Mr. Say/do anything to get back to the White House equating TK with Bush?!? Beyond ignoring how Hill voted for No Child (as others have already pointed out), does he not realize his credibility is zero right now?

This is exactly the kind of distortion & pettiness we don't need.

February 2, 2008 07:47 pm at 7:47 pm |

CHUCK

The Kennedy family is famous for campaigning for a Kennedy. Now a Clinton campaigns for a Clinton and people are bent out of shape. Bill Clinton is doing what he should do,supporting his wife. Enough as been said about when he has strayed and rightfully so but when he is doing the right thing give him a pat on the fanny. Not everything he says will be correct but when he says she is the best person to become our next president HE IS CORRECT!! Please review the issues and what the remaining Dems and Republicans say. See how the total fits you as a person and then forget your emotions and vote for that person. Hillary is being pilloried so many things that people can't even say why they do not like her. The Republican spin machine did a big job of brain washing many people with false statements about her. I have been told that her health plan included people being locked up if they did not use it....and the bull goes on and on....Hillary the one we need now....There is so much to fix after the hell hole that Bush/Cheney has put us in.

People are not smart in some of the comments !!!!!!!!!
Poor USA !!!!!!
Hillary is the winner of 2008 !!!!!
She is good Lady, smart, experienced and will do a lot for All of Us !!!!!!
Be smart !!!!! Obama is like a child !!!! He won't do anything !!!!!!!
Poor USA people !!!!!!!

February 2, 2008 10:32 pm at 10:32 pm |

TellItLikeItIs

February 2, 2008 6:25 pm ET

nmc Said:

Don't overlook how intelligent Hillary is……..and experienced…..why would we want Obama in the White House as President when he can't even qualify to be a police officer with his drug use??? Yea – that's someone I want my kids to look up to.

------------------------------------–

Yeah, and Bill Clinton never inhaled.

February 2, 2008 11:00 pm at 11:00 pm |

George

Bill clinton is again demonstrating a nasty aspect of politics that we in America are trying to counter. It is utmust disgrace to see a well known and respected figure like Clinton disgracing what Thomas Jefferson and the others have fought for. The factof the matter is that Obama's dream is natural and vigilant while Clinton's is based on her husband's direction. If she wins, she will only be a ceremonial president and that is not healthy for the USA. We have lived with failed experience for years and it got us no where. Let us go for a change

February 3, 2008 04:23 am at 4:23 am |

Doris Bianchi

Our votes go to Hillary–Obama needs to take some lessons from her then he can try again in 4 years, when he's grown up a bit and not so full of himself.
we've had men trying to run this country up to now- look where we are.
LET'S TRY A WOMAN and a darn smart one at that

February 3, 2008 04:31 am at 4:31 am |

anarchist

Why would we want Hillary in the White House as President when she can't even satisfy her straying husband?

February 3, 2008 04:51 am at 4:51 am |

Jas

Perhaps Bill is just trying to draw attention away from the one semi-endorsement Hillary got from the infamous Ms. Coulter who told her Fox friends that if McCain was the republican nominee, she not only would VOTE for hillary but would volunteer to campaign for her. Now that is some kind of endorsement, eh?

If Obama can, We can. Oh, yes, we can!

February 3, 2008 05:05 am at 5:05 am |

Brian

Ted Kennedy made some snide comments about Hillary in his endorsement of Barack. And Barack has been making snide remarks about Hillary for over a year. I don't see what's wrong with Clinton doing the same.

But of course the Obama Whiners shut their eyes and ears and don't want to hear it. They don't know how nasty Barack and his campagn really are because the press doesn't like to report it - they prefer the story of the Clinton Goliath being taken down by Obama's David.

Google the phrase "For Clinton a matter of fair media" and read the Washington Post article that documents how the news media treats Obama with kid gloves, but jumps all over Hillary or Bill for batting an eyelash wrong.

Some highlights:

Obama was caught answering a planted question not long after Hillary was... but the incident wasn't covered anywhere but ABC News. The other reporters present discussed it and decided it "wasn't a story."

An Obama aide encouraged Marc Ambinder of "Atlantic" magazine to investigate Bill Clinton's post-presidential sex life. Ambinder wrote about it in his blog... but the national media ignored the story.

The Obama campaign paid out over $180,000 to Democratic organizations and candidate in the three earliest voting states, which could be seen as paying for votes. But only the Washington Post reported it... the national news again failed to report the story.

February 3, 2008 06:00 am at 6:00 am |

prsq

whta so ever i would love Hillary to be the president , dont trust obama yet of his capabilities , he is not yet fit to for the post , he need to learn more . its politics they say they can just to get the vote but will he or is he ? or will he be a puppet president with kennedy and all around him . he wants new change but he has all old around him gathering , kennedy what good has he done to be proud and talk of him . who said what or who did what is not a question . who is fit is the question . No ceo of a company is elected without an experience and qualification . so today we need a ceo for america and we have 2 candidate obama and hillary . and the one qualifiesd and with experience and capabilites I see in Hillary . so my vote is for Hillay

February 3, 2008 06:43 am at 6:43 am |

Jim

Maybe it would be better if dirty Willie would speak about family values, among other failed Clinton admistration mistakes. His wife is running, but we all know he will be calling the shots again. Bill, lets talk more about those "service jobs" you promised after signing NAFTA!

February 3, 2008 08:33 am at 8:33 am |

Emmanuel Obi

Bill Clinton is right in attacking Ted Kennedy who is incensed at the probability of a female becoming President.After Super Tuesday,it will be clear what clout Ted Kennedy has if any.

February 3, 2008 08:39 am at 8:39 am |

Make history

I hear the people's voice when OBAMA speaks.

February 3, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |

Ann, MO

It is interesting that Bill would denounce Senator Kennedy since if it were not for Senator Kennedy and Senator Hatch, Hillary could not tout the Child health plan that she says was hers. It was infact Senator Kennedy's and Senator Hatch (R) that brought that about.

February 3, 2008 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |

Zelda

People, what Bill so purposely failed to mention was that Hillary also supported No Child Left Behind in 2001. He's still putting his foot in his mouth. Oh and Brian stop HATING on Obama.

February 3, 2008 12:13 pm at 12:13 pm |

Ann, MO

Senator Clinton voted in favor of No Child Left Behind--so what does that say about her!!!! Bill should shut up.

February 3, 2008 12:15 pm at 12:15 pm |

B R

Does he think we're idiots??? I distinctly remember that Hillary effusively supported Bush's "No Child Left Behind". The quote is out there – does anybody have it?

February 3, 2008 12:21 pm at 12:21 pm |

Anna, IL

Yes, Bill Clinton does think we're idiots. It was Hillary who voted for "No Child Left Behind" and it was Bush who left Ted Kennedy out to dry.

Shame on you Bill Clinton. Please go away.

February 3, 2008 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |

Brad

How is she going to reach across the aisle when she savagely attacks people on her own side? The Clinton's slash and burn tactics are exactly why we need Obama.

February 3, 2008 12:30 pm at 12:30 pm |

Southern girl

Obama supporters just can't wrap their heads around the fact that Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Obama is not a good thing. The man got away with homicide and he has been one of the most corrupt Kennedy's in the gene pool. Why this endorsement would give you a warm and fuzzy feeling is beyond me and actually it's pretty darn scary!

February 3, 2008 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

Matthew

Being a good orator is very important, but it's hardly enough of a reason to elect someone president. Beyond his early opposition to the war in Iraq and his public speaking, why Obama?